The release of the annual John Lewis Christmas advert signals the beginning of the festive season for many people around the UK.
But some fans were left raging as they argue this year’s ad promotes a damaging environmental message – and could further contribute to climate change.
This year’s ad, entitled Unexpected Guest, follows the story of a young alien girl who crashes to earth in her spaceship and meets a human boy during Christmas.
14-year-old Nathan introduces the alien, Skye, to the delights of the festive season as he treats her to mince pies and novelty Christmas jumpers.
However, some fans spotted something rather more sinister in the ad’s opening scene as Nathan travels home by bus and catches sight of the failing ship streaking through the sky.
Followed by a rainbow of colours, the ship caught fire as it hit Earth’s atmosphere and fell into the forest.
(Image: YouTube)
Raging viewers quickly turned to Twitter to air their thoughts on the ‘damaging’ climate message – which comes as the current COP26 conference is going on in Glasgow.
One penned: “That spaceship didn’t look climate friendly and it destroyed a few trees #JohnLewis.”
Someone else wondered: “Oooh, does it mean we don’t need to worry about #COP26 or climate and biodiversity breakdown due to runaway consumerism because we’re going to be wiped out by a meteorite? Or aliens? Is it aliens??”
(Image: PA)
A third viewer echoed: “Is this going to be another shameless promotion of buying and consuming more ‘stuff’ in the middle of a climate crisis that requires us to do just the opposite?”
While another viewer followed up that the making of the ad itself could create a “huge carbon footprint” as they posted: “Great soundtrack. Terrible otherwise. Huge carbon footprint making it and it is completely pointless. Less of this crap please John Lewis.”
John Lewis has refused to announce a budget for the advert – but have insisted it is in line with previous years’ spending.
And in a nod to sustainability, the retailer has chosen to release a version of the jumper Nathan gifts to Skye for purchase, without the added lights as seen in the TV version.
(Image: PA)
10% of profits from jumper sales will be donated to charities FareShare and Home-Start UK.
A John Lewis spokesperson told Daily Star Online: “Our production partners have measures in place to ensure that we are being as sustainable as possible throughout the production process.
“We worked with ADGreen, an initiative launched by the Advertising Association which enables the advertising industry to measure and reduce its carbon emissions.
“We had a trained Green Steward on set, who advises on how to reduce carbon emissions and also distribution of unwanted production assets into charities, including clothes, food and props.
“We used sustainable materials as much as possible, including the snow which was made from recycled paper.”
Other fans were simply bowled over by the emotional message in the ad, as they admitted they were “bawling” – especially as Skye eventually fixes her ship and flies back home.
One emotional fan penned: “Bloomin’ @JohnLewisRetail making me cry in bed this morning watching the sneak peek of their #UnexpectedGuest advert. It’s a Christmas cracker!”
As someone else followed up: “Completely love the day the @JohnLewisRetail advert is released. Alarm set. Can’t wait. I usually get emotional so tissues also at the ready!”
Unexpected Guest will make its TV debut at 8.15pm on Thursday on ITV during the Daily Mirror’s Pride of Britain Awards.
It is also available to watch on the retailer’s website and social media channels.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
